“I saw the surgeon last week and had an MRI of the graft and he’s really happy with it,” she said. “Same with my quad strength at the moment. (I’m) still working on my hamstring strength, so it’s where my focus is in the gym.

“In terms of coming back and playing footy, I’m still not in full training and haven’t done any training with the girls yet.

“We’re not going to take any risks. I guess slow and steady will get me there at this rate.

“I’m sort of hoping around July, but that’s up to Hoody (coach Paul Hood) and the physios and things. Hopefully there’s not hiccups along the way. If there is I’ll take that and come back a little bit later.

“I’d love to push for Round 1 … I’m pretty competitive and would like to get there but I know there’s other boxes to tick until I do that.

Ivey, who played two games with Carlton in the inaugural AFL Women’s season, is keen to find a spot on Geelong’s list for their entry into the competition in 2019.

She knows trying to return early will only put that dream at risk.

“I guess that’s in the forefront in my mind,” she said.

“My goal is to play footy at the highest level, and if I get that opportunity to play at the Cats and play AFLW for them, if that means taking a little bit longer to get through my VFLW season and give myself the opportunity to be drafted or put on the list, then that’s something that I’m willing to do now.

“I’m willing to wait rather than jeopardise that spot again and miss out on another season. I’d love to be out there, but I’m so happy for the girls playing as well.”

When Ivey is ready to play again she is likely to return via the newly formed AFL Barwon Senior Women’s competition where she has Geelong Amateur – who will be coached by former Geelong star Tim McGrath – as her interchange club

“They took me for a tour of their facilities, which are looking pretty nice,” she said. “That was probably something that got me over the line.

“I’m not sure how my introduction back to footy is going to look, but if that means coming through Ammos then I’m more than happy to do that.

“I met Tim McGrath a couple of months ago and he seems like a nice guy and someone I respect as a coach. I’d be more than happy to come back through there if I need to.”